Abstract
Consumer interest in probiotics has dramatically increased in recent years due to improved knowledge of the significant benefits imparted on human health. A specific health issue in which probiotics have been found advantageous is lactose intolerance. Probiotics have demonstrated the ability to act on ingested lactose due to the presence of lactase. The objective of this study was to assess the β-galactosidase (β -gal) activity of commercially available probiotics supplements in the market. Ten supplements were used in this study. Two capsules of each supplement were allowed to activate in MRS broth for 10-12 h. Cultures were then inoculated into TPY broth with lactose (induced) or glucose (uninduced) then incubated at 37°C. After bacterial growth reached the mid log phase (optical density 0.7-0.9; 610 nm), the procedures as outlined by Miller were followed. Activity of β-gal was quantified using the o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactoside (ONPG) assay. The activity of β-gal in the uninduced group ranged between 0 and 800 Miller unit, whereas there as the induced group ranged from 1 to 1,120 Miller units. When induced, supplement #5 exhibited the strongest enzyme activity at 1,120 Miller units and supplement #10 exhibited the lowest activity. Similarly, supplement #3 exhibited the highest (800 Miller unit) and supplements #1, #2 and #10 did not show any β-gal activity with glucose. These findings indicate that β-gal activity in the ten tested supplements varies. Our results suggest that not all of the commercially available probiotic supplements have the same health benefits.
Highlights
Bacteria colonize all of the physically available space along the gastrointestinal tract, with varying distribution
We found that the presence of lactose in the growth medium led to β-gal activity enhancement for bifidobacteria and L. acidophilus [11,12]
Overall lactose intolerant individuals can be well treated by dietary modification and education once properly diagnosed with the condition
Summary
Bacteria colonize all of the physically available space along the gastrointestinal tract, with varying distribution. These bacteria have invaluable functions in the human body. The relationship between human host and the composition of gut microbiota is primarily mutually beneficial. The metabolic activity of gut microbiota provides the human host with metabolic energy and absorbable substrates and nutrients, while the human host provides the microbiota with a source of energy and nutritious products for growth and development [1]. Health benefits conferred on the host are contingent upon the maintenance of a homeostatic state among the network of the microbiota [2]. The microbiota is not indestructible, and the positive attributes provided by the bacteria can be overcome by pathogens and environmental factors, especially after cases of illness and/or medication use
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